JUNE 2018
WELCOME
Killing around a third of the population of Europe, the Black Death was the most savage disaster the continent has ever faced. Even a er 650 years, questions remain about the plague, with new theories continually surfacing about its origins and how it was spread. In this issue, however, we explore the consequences of the disease, and in particular a response that shocked even those who had already witnessed the worst of the plague: abandonment. On page 20, Samuel Cohn reveals how the Black Death tore families apart, and even saw doctors and priests running for the hills.
As we were completing this edition, news came through of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child. The royal couple are already well versed in parenting, but should they need any guidance from history, they might want to take a look at this month’s article on Georgian child-rearing. On page 27, Elizabeth Foyster highlights some of the joys and challenges facing parents in the 18th century, some of which seem particularly alien, while others will be familiar to many of us in the 21st century.
Also in this issue, we reveal the line–ups for our History Weekends. Turn to page 61 to discover some of the exciting names who will be appearing in York and Winchester, and to nd out how to book tickets. Plus, on page 48, you can nd out about our new subscriber-only digital resource, The Library, o ering free access to several years of magazine content, with more exciting additions to come.
Rob Attar Editor
THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS
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Janina Ramirez Warrior women have obsessed me for many years. I am delighted to be able to reassess one of Anglo-Saxon England’s nest ghting females: Aethel aed, Lady of the Mercians. P Janina delves into the fascinating life of a fearsome female warrior on page 44
Peter H Wilson The Thirty Years’ War, fought between 1618 and 1648, is o en presented as Europe’s great religious war. However, a closer look reveals a more complex situation and gives us a better understanding of why it proved so protracted and destructive. P Peter shines a light on one of Europe’s worst conflicts on page 50
Elizabeth Foyster In Georgian Britain, there was plenty of parenting advice, much of it written by clergymen, teachers, midwives and physicians. There were new challenges, but also perennial ones as parents faced some of their most pleasurable and stressful life experiences. P Elizabeth offers some tips to a new parent in Georgian times on page 27
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